Chop Robinson’s expected to make his return against Commanders
The Miami Dolphins are expected to regain one of the team’s top young defenders this week when Chop Robinson officially clears the NFL’s concussion protocol.
Robinson, the Dolphins’ 2024 first-round pick, sustained the concussion during Miami’s 28-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, and was held out of Sunday’s 30-13 win over the Buffalo Bills.
Robinson had not completed the NFL’s four-stage concussion protocol program, therefore he didn’t gain clearance from the NFL to return to action 10 days after sustaining the head injury. By participating in his second straight practice Wednesday, Robinson, who has contributed eight tackles and one sack in the nine games this season, should gain that clearance Thursday if he doesn’t suffer any setbacks.
“He’s as hungry as he’s ever been since I’ve known him,” said fellow edge rusher Bradley Chubb, whom the Dolphins are trying to find a complementary player for at left defensive end.
The Dolphins have produced 20 sacks in the season’s first 10 games, which ranks Miami 23rd in the NFL. . But the Dolphins defense has created 38 hurries this season, which ranks fourth in the NFL.
Robinson’s presence on the field is desperately needed because Miami traded Jaelan Phillips to the Philadelphia Eagles last week for a 2026 third-round pick, and that was the edge rusher Robinson was backing up all season. Robinson, who contributed 26 tackles, six sacks and broke up four passes in his rookie season, will likely see his snap count drastically elevated now that Phillips isn’t playing ahead of him.
This year Robinson, who is known as a pass rushing specialist, averaged 33.2 defensive snaps per game. This year averaging 22.4 defensive snaps per game. He will likely benefit from an increase moving forward this season as long as he doesn’t become a liability when defending the run, which has been part of the reasons he has only started one NFL game in his two seasons.
Matt Judon, a 10-year veteran who has started 97 NFL games throughout his career, replaced Phillips as the Dolphins’ starter last week against the Ravens, and it’s possible he could end up sharing package-based snaps with Robinson because he’s an effective edge-setter.
Quinton Bell, an outside linebacker Miami elevated from the practice squad last week, could also be in the playing time mix at the edge spot because of how effective he is at setting the edge on running plays and dropping back into coverage.
The Dolphins have struggled defending the run for most of this season, but have seemingly turned the corner the past few weeks, limiting the Atlanta Falcons (45 total rushing yards) and Buffalo Bills (87 total) to less rushing yards than their per-game averages.
Miami enters Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders ranked 26th against the run, allowing 139.7 rushing yards per game. A month ago the Dolphins were allowing 161 rushing yards per game, which was roughly 45 yards per game higher than the NFL average.
“Great to see him back. I’m excited to see him out there,” Dolphins defensive lineman Zach Sieler said, referring to Robinson, who began to heat up in the second half of his rookie season. “[He brings] good energy. [He’s] explosive and quick.”
